Posted by
BLOGASSAULT on Saturday, March 27, 2010 11:39:56 AM
California officials Thursday abruptly halted a controversial effort to slash the carbon footprint of automobile air conditioning.
“Cool car” rules would have required a clear reflective glaze on vehicle windows as a way to block excessive sunlight and heat. They were adopted in June by the state’s Air Resources Board and were in the process of being finalized.
Air conditioning lowers vehicle efficiency, increasing emissions from gasoline that contribute to global warming. But law enforcement officials had expressed concerns that the coating, a spray of microscopic metal particles which block infrared rays, would interfere with the electronic monitoring of ankle bracelets on paroled felons. Wireless phone companies said the new standard could degrade cellphone signals including 911 calls. And toll road operators said the glaze could make it difficult to use the "EZ Pass" systems enabling traffic to move quickly through toll booths.
A reflective spray that causes electronic ankle bracelts to go haywire? What is this stuff made of? And why are they regulating car a/c? Just how many government employees do they have working on this stuff? All questions that cannot be answered satisfactory by anyone who isn't part of the California governmental universe.